The field test of the card reader machines by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday recorded large turnout of eligible voters in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.
Reports indicate that eligible voters turned out en masse to participate in the exercise.
Some of the polling units that witnessed large turnout of voters included Batakaye, Bubbugaje, Sheka Makaranta and Sheka Maidille, among others.
In most of the polling units visited, men out numbered women.
Some of the voters who spoke expressed happiness with the arrangements put on ground for the exercise.
Malam Salisu Ali said that the field test had proved wrong some Nigerians who were pessimistic about the conduct of the forthcoming general elections.
‘’With this field test, one is confident that INEC is serious about the elections’’, he said.
Another voter, who simply gave his name as Usman, called on INEC to address the challenges encountered during the field test before the election proper.
Our correspondents who monitored the exercise in Ekiti reported that it took a voter less than a minute to be verified.
The field test of the effectiveness of the card reader machine was also hitch-free.
Amb. Thomas Oloruntobi, Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, who also monitored the exercise, said the effectiveness of the machine had put all speculations to rest.
“Now that the machine has been tested, this will put to rest the mind of those who doubt the effectiveness of the card reader.
“As you can see the field demonstration of the exercise has actually proven that the machine can perform creditably without any hitch.’’
A voter at Unit 002, Ward 9, Dalimmore Area of Ado-Ekiti, Mr Oluwafemi Adebobola, after the authentication of his PVC, said the process was fast.
“ I spent less than one minute to have my permanent voter card verified,’’ he said.
The exercise took place in 12 states that cut across the six geo-political zones.